Chapter 7 – Spring and Smoke
Sebtina made her way directly to the other drawing room, where Clazien was waiting.
“He arrived early and is waiting inside. We served him a light refreshment, and it seems to have kept him from getting bored. I’ll have yours brought right away.”
‘He’s probably drinking tea.’
He wouldn’t have been bored—Clazien was fond of tea and sweets.
His ever-smiling face made it easy to assume he was gentle, but in truth, Clazien had very particular tastes. Chief among them was his love of brewing and drinking tea.
Some teased him for enjoying something only noble ladies usually indulged in, but Clazien never tried to hide his preferences.
Tea was also one of the best-selling items from his trade group. Through overseas trade, they imported teas from across the sea, which had flavors distinct from those of the Empire.
She still remembered the tangy-sweet teas she’d tasted during visits to his company—those flavors had left an impression.
A servant knocked, confirmed Clazien’s presence, and opened the door.
Sebtina flinched slightly upon seeing Clazien standing just inside.
“Ah, my apologies for startling you.”
Clazien greeted her with a radiant smile.
Golden hair as brilliant as sunlight, eyes as clear as the deep sea.
If Dante was winter, Clazien was spring.
“You caught me. I should’ve waited behind the door.”
Clazien was a handsome man with soft, delicate features.
He was the second familiar face Sebtina had seen—after Dante. The one year of absence felt meaningless. No, perhaps it was more accurate to say she had never felt the absence at all. Clazien looked exactly the same as he had the last time she saw him.
The same polite, businesslike smile she’d seen every day.
He smiled like that when we said goodbye, too.
Sebtina fell into thought.
What was one supposed to say in this situation?
No, it doesn’t matter. She quickly reminded herself—
I don’t need to walk on eggshells anymore.
“…Lady Sebtina?”
Clazien tilted his head. She had been staring at him in silence long enough for it to become awkward.
Sebtina nodded slightly, as if in understanding.
“I wonder why you didn’t say anything when you clearly already knew.”
She saw the corner of Clazien’s mouth twitch.
He was clearly caught off guard.
As he stood there dazed, Sebtina seated herself on the sofa. Her gaze fell to the tea still radiating warmth on the table. Then she turned back to Clazien.
He quickly followed and took the seat across from her, wearing a smile once more.
“Perhaps I’m not to your liking.”
“I didn’t think I needed to share my feelings with someone I don’t know.”
A servant entered with a tray and quietly placed it on the table.
“Do you have a preference for tea?”
“I don’t drink tea.”
He smiled again.
And from that alone, Sebtina realized something.
Clazien’s smile was automatic—a reflex he used to mask his true feelings.
She hadn’t noticed before, since there had never been any reason to displease him. But now it was clear.
“Then I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”
Clazien pulled a pouch of his preferred tea leaves from his bag and began steeping them. As the kettle was closed to let it infuse, his gaze returned to Sebtina.
“The reason I came today was to introduce you to a suitable tutor. You’ve only just awakened, and naturally, you’re lacking in knowledge and etiquette.”
“I see.”
“Do you have any preferences? If there’s a particular area or teaching style you’d like, I’ll keep it in mind.”
She wanted to learn.
But she also knew there was no way to surpass Yulia in a short time. Yulia was nobility to the bone. Their starting points had never been the same.
“What about you?”
Lost in thought, Sebtina blinked at his sudden suggestion.
“…Pardon?”
Clazien waited patiently for her reply. The silence between them grew thick.
“I may not look it, but I’ve taught many young noblewomen—everything from etiquette to dance to the basics of court life.”
“…You, personally?”
She was genuinely surprised to hear that Clazien had worked as a private tutor. To the Juli who had known him, he was nothing more than a merchant lord. But that, it seemed, had only been one facet of him.
For Sebtina to learn in one minute what Juli had never discovered in years—it was a stark reminder.
This is the difference between Juli and me.
“I wonder what sort of impression I’ve left on you, Lady Sebtina. It’s a little sad to think you’ve judged me so quickly.”
Clazien lowered his eyes like a forlorn puppy. With his downturned lashes and soft voice, he looked pitiful—almost heartbreakingly so.
But not to Sebtina.
Of all people, Clazien pretending to be pitiable? She disliked that even more than his smile.
He knows exactly how attractive he is. And he knows how to weaponize it.
His appearance, his charm—he wielded it with expert precision.
Faced with this unexpected side of him, Sebtina suddenly wanted to end the conversation.
“First impressions can say a lot. And as for you, Clazien… no thank you. I’m not interested.”
“Oh dear. May I ask why not?”
“Actually, I’d like to ask you something instead. Why do you want to be my tutor?”
The Clazien Juli had known had been polite, kind—but never overstepped boundaries.
He’d never tried to get close like this.
Even when they met at his company, he always chose public places: restaurants, gardens. At first, it felt considerate. At least he didn’t confine her to a study like Dante had.
But that changed the day he insisted they go for a walk even when she was too sick to stand. That was when she began to realize something.
He didn’t care how she felt.
What he wanted was an image.
The benevolent merchant lord who even cared for the sickly daughter of House Reeve. The noble-hearted Clazien Whiteion, who saw no status in his dealings, only people.
Her health, her feelings—they were never part of the equation.
It had hurt more than she expected. Even made her dread the outings she had once looked forward to.
Still, she’d hoped. Thought maybe he’d change. That maybe, if they got closer, he’d let down his guard.
Of course, that had been Juli’s foolish hope.
Now, to receive that same kindness as Sebtina only disgusted her.
“I just think we could become quite close. And I’d like to help you however I can.”
Sebtina narrowed her eyes.
There’s no such thing as kindness without motive. Especially not from someone like Clazien Whiteion.
She had been nothing but blunt with him—anyone else would have shown at least a hint of offense. But Clazien? He’d only shown her more warmth.
He was a merchant.
He wouldn’t take a single step unless there was something to gain.
There had to be profit in it for him.
“I must have quite a lot to offer, then.”
Clazien blinked. His pupils dilated, just a bit.
So that’s a new expression.
This Clazien felt like a stranger.
But one thing became clear.
She could finally see him for what he was.
He was an opportunist.
Now that her shell had changed, so had his demeanor.
He pushed harder. Drew nearer.
…Even though she hadn’t changed at all.
The realization made her angrier than anything else.
Sebtina clenched her jaw.
Her voice came out sharper than intended.
“I guess helping someone like me—someone who’s been unconscious for years—make a successful debut in society would be quite the feat, wouldn’t it?”
Clazien merely shrugged.
“I’m afraid I don’t follow.”
“Your ties to House Zeros would grow stronger, and as a merchant, the benefits you’d gain through me must be considerable.”
“….”
Clazien smiled faintly—but then, slowly, the smile faded.
He didn’t reply. Instead, he reached for the teapot and poured a cup. The fragrance was rich and warm. With his head lowered, he finally spoke.
“I won’t deny it. Your perception is… rather keen, given how little time you’ve had to recover.”
“If there was nothing to gain, I doubt you’d show me any interest.”
“…It doesn’t seem you’ll struggle to adapt to society. With just a bit of guidance, even that blunt way of speaking can be refined.”
Rather than criticizing, he praised her. But the implication was clear: Nobles don’t speak like you.
“Then allow me to be honest as well. What you said just now is partly correct… though perhaps a bit generous. Let’s say one-fourth right. There’s another, far more important reason.”
Clazien lifted his teacup.
He took a slow sip.
When he set it down again, his expression had returned to the calm, composed one he’d worn when she first entered.
“If I’m honest with you about my reasons, perhaps that will help you trust me a bit more. My wish to stay on good terms with you comes from that as well.”
Could it be… that he actually cared?
…That there was another reason entirely?
Sebtina suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
